Akashvani agricultural news turns 50, first read out by Vakkom Purushothaman

Alappuzha: Fifty years ago, on April 14, 1974, amidst the celebrations of Vishu in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram Akashvani began a bulletin exclusively for agricultural news for the first time in the country. This date was selected as it was considered to be a day that brings boon to the farmers..

There was no special inaugural event. Instead, Vakkom Purushothaman, the minister for agriculture in the Achyutha Menon cabinet was brought in to read the first article. The minister reading out the news garnered significant interest. 

The 5-minute agricultural news reading before the 7 AM news continues till date. Introducing this section was the brainchild of R Hailey, the head of the Farm information bureau and a leading agronomist. Koniyoor Narendranath, Joseph Kaimaparamban and P.I Warrier, who were part of Akashvani were also involved in this initiative.

Later, various radio stations in the country and Kerala began broadcasting agricultural news. Agriculture announcements, information about application of fertilisers, cultivation methods, intercropping, irrigation, sowing, benefits, subsidies, etc were disseminated to the farmers in that 5 minute interval. 

As early as 1966, Akashvani started a half-hour programme at 6:50 PM titled ‘Vayalum Veedum’ (Land and home). This was a time when people used to take their radios along when visiting barns and agricultural lands. Muralidharan Thazhakara, who was in charge of the ‘Vayalum Veedum’ programme, said that there are still many listeners of agricultural programmes. 

At present, agricultural news is read as the first part of the Pularvettam program from 7 to 8 in the morning. In the evening, the same news is repeated in the Vayalum Veedum programme. Dr V.B Padmanabhan of the Vellayani Agricultural College said that the contributions made by Akashvani agricultural news segment was invaluable.